Friday - May 18, 2012
Noon - 1:30 PM

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Corporate Governance 2012:

Perspectives on the Political Landscape

Robert F. Bennett entered the political arena by managing his father, Wallace F. Bennett's, Senatorial reelection campaign 49 years ago, in 1962. It was this experience that would later inspire Mr. Bennett to seek public office. In 1992, Mr. Bennett followed in his father's footsteps and ran a successful campaign for the U.S. Senate, carrying his businessman-like approach with him to the Hill. Mr. Bennett served as a United States Senator for eighteen years. A Washington figure for decades, his advice is sought and relied upon by U.S. Presidents, Cabinet officials, and members of congress.

Bob is highly regarded as a pragmatic problem-solver and has established himself as a powerful consensus builder among colleagues, constituents, and clients. His contributions have been both creative and based in common sense. One of his colleagues praised him as being "the smartest man in the Senate."

Bob served as a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and as a member of the distinguished Joint Economic Committee, where he was at the center of national economic policy discussions. He also served as the ranking Republican on the Senate Rules Committee.

Bob was also a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he worked to balance fiscal discipline in government with the needs of maintaining a vital national economy. He understands government spending and is intimately familiar with the process that makes it happen.

Bob is a highly successful entrepreneur. Prior to his senate career, he served as the CEO of Franklin Quest, Inc. (NYSE) where he was a founding shareholder. His greatest triumph in the business world came when he was CEO of Franklin International Institute, where he grew the business from four employees to more than 1,000, and got it listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, to his success at Franklin Quest, Inc. he has been a key participant in multiple private and publicly held companies. His success has been based on his ability to see clearly the inter-dependence of private enterprise and an expanding national economy.

Throughout his career, former Senator Bennett has been praised for two innate qualities-his intellect and his integrity. Former President, Bill Clinton, described him as "a highly intelligent old-fashioned conservative" while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, praised him by saying "there is no more honorable member of this body than Bob Bennett." Senator Mitch McConnell, who Bob served as Counselor in the Republican leadership, summed it up by simply remarking Bob is a "smart, level-headed proven leader."

Bob currently resides as the chairman of The Bennett Consulting Group. In addition, he is also the Chairman of the TechAmerica Foundation, which harnesses technology and innovation for growth and productivity. Mr. Bennett is a Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, working with other eminent former Senators to effectuate government policy through cross-party accord. He is currently on the Board of Trustees at the German Marshall Fund, promoting better public affairs cooperation between the United States and Europe. As Honorary US President of the Transatlantic Policy Network, he seeks to further the common interests of the United States and those of the European Union. He is also a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.

Bob is married to the former Joyce McKay and is the father of six children.

• Whistle-blower bounties for reporting violations of securities laws
• The upcoming U.S. presidential election
• Utah's economy and the outlook for the next few years
• Attributes of the most successful boards: size, diversity, skills, knowledge, etc.
• Current bank regulations on Industrial Loan Companies and future prospects
• Pros and cons of the caucus / convention form of voting in the Utah
• Critical issues facing the federal government
• "Say-on-Pay" provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act
• Questions from the audience